New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed his wife as co-chair of a coronavirus recovery task force.
The Democrat announced Sunday on Twitter that Chirlane McCray would help lead the task force on racial inclusion and equity as the city plans to start reopening.
“Every time New York City has faced a crisis, it’s come back stronger. That’s who we are. We will work together and build something better and fairer,” de Blasio tweeted.
Every time New York City has faced a crisis, it’s come back stronger. That’s who we are. We will work together and build something better and fairer.
We have the power to do more than just return to the status quo.
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) April 26, 2020
“I am also launching the City Task Force on Racial Inclusion and Equity, focusing on confronting health disparities, specific needs in communities of color and breaking down structural racism,” he wrote. “I want that mission baked into every aspect of our restart and recovery.”
I am also launching the City Task Force on Racial Inclusion and Equity, focusing on confronting health disparities, specific needs in communities of color and breaking down structural racism. I want that mission baked into every aspect of our restart and recovery.
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) April 26, 2020
The task force will be led by @NYCFirstLady and Deputy Mayor Phil Thompson. We will be naming leaders from across the administration representing the diversity of this city. They will help us focus on the bigger structural changes we need to make going forward.
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) April 26, 2020
De Blasio cited McCray’s work with ThriveNYC, which is a $1 billion initiative to help assist people with mental health issues, to make the case that his wife is a good choice to lead the task force, according to the New York Post.
“In terms of fighting inequality, Thrive has gone to that point and in many ways even farther,” de Blasio said of his wife’s work. “I think that’s exactly the kind of mindset needed for this task force.”
Critics have pushed back on the announcement, claiming McCray has a poor record with ThriveNYC, making her a bad choice to help reopen the city.
“Chirlane doesn’t have an impressive track record running task forces or agencies,” said Republican Councilman Joe Borelli, according to the New York Post.
ThriveNYC announced in March that it would cut its budget by $46 million over the next two years following criticism the initiative failed to track how many New Yorkers it helped treat with illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.
“This is political. I wish de Blasio would stop doing this,” said Democratic Councilman Robert Holden.
He added, “Her track record on Thrive and the statue commission hasn’t been so good.”
